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2D Oultine Selection from 3D Object
First of all, i’m new here so Hell’o! My name is Matt.
I tried for the past hour to find how to select the outline of the complex object but in 2D only. To be clear I made a screenshot of an “object”.
As you can see in the 2D Viewports(Top, Right and Front), when I’m in “Model Mode” the object outlines are highlighted. That’s exactly what I want to have but in Selection.
Why? Because from that I would like to convert this selection to Spline. In my project, I want to create a package box with Foam laser cuts that have almost the exact same shape of my object.Thanks.
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9 Replies
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How about creating a foam insert like this?
I used Magic Merge (a free plugin from Nitro4D) to merge the three objects (pyramid and two platonics).
I then created a boole of a cube minus the merged object.
I then selected the polygons on the face of the cube outside of the resulting hole, and extruded them outwards to create a depression that exactly fits the object and which it can slide right into.
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Aright looks cool. I will try this when I will have the time this weekend!!
For now I tried a simple Boole but my object have to many mesh. It take about 30 seconds to complete the task and I have a bran new iMac 27″ so..
What I tried today is simply put the object down in the foam surface until the middle. It works but if I want to render the object outside the box then the foam surface will be flat with no cuts in it. This is not the best.
I’m very happy you understood my request because I wasn’t sure if I was clear enough as english isn’t my primary language!
I’ll get back to you after trying this plugin! ???? C4D should consider integrate this kind of selection into their next version.
Oh and thank you so much for your very great details. Its more than appreciated
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Well, I tried it right now. It will be useful but unfortunately it doesn’t help me and here is why.
The boole is heavy because my objects are not empty inside. In fact I have a Null that group different parts to form an assembly. There is other meshes/objects inside when assembled. So the boole apply it to the entire meshes (outside AND inside) thats the problem. I have to find how to only keep the outside polygons of those objects.
I tried to use the plugin on the Null group but unfortunately the plugin doesn’t keep only the outside polygons but still keep the inside polygons too.
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I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean by “heavy” boole. As far as I can tell, booles only deal with the external shape of an object and ignore anything inside it. If you are having issues with parts inside of other parts have you tried removing those inside parts for the purpose of creating the boole?
Could you upload a project file with your assembled object so that I could take a look at it?
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[Matt St-Pierre] “What I tried today is simply put the object down in the foam surface until the middle. It works but if I want to render the object outside the box then the foam surface will be flat with no cuts in it. This is not the best.”
I’m not sure I understand what you are saying here, but have you made a copy of the object so that you have one to use with the boole and the other to render as a visible object?
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I would use the spline tool to trace your objects. Do it from the viewport of your choice (top or side). Turn on 2D snapping and check edge and vertex boxes. You should be able to get a good result pretty quickly. Then extrude the spline and use the boolean object with the extrude.
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@Jim I can’t really upload the project file because that’s a product i’m developing. I know it would be a lot easier but its impossible for me, i can’t take the risk to share my product. What I mean by heavy boole in fact is because of the complexity of the assembly, the boole algorithm have to work a lot and a lot before giving the output result. I mean, I activate the boole and then I have to wait around 15-30 seconds until the result appear.
I know I can remove the inside polygons but it’s gonna take forever. I know it’s a solution and I keep it in mind but I would like to find a better and fastest solution for now and future projects. It must have a better solution. I’ll find it. ????
@Adam Interesting. Yes I will try in the top viewport while Snaps activated. It might work.
I had a pretty intense weekend so I will try again today or tomorrow. I will let you know guys. Thanks for the help/tips.
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[Matt St-Pierre] ” I can’t really upload the project file because that’s a product i’m developing. I know it would be a lot easier but its impossible for me, i can’t take the risk to share my product. What I mean by heavy boole in fact is because of the complexity of the assembly, the boole algorithm have to work a lot and a lot before giving the output result. I mean, I activate the boole and then I have to wait around 15-30 seconds until the result appear.”
No problem. I understand your situation and your explanation of the boole problem.
As Adam is the C4D expert, and I am not, I would suggest you work on his solution.
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Hi guys. Finally it’s a mess. As the file is a CAD file, the object have meshes inside the object and that’s very too complex. But I will just put the object directly into the foam (half) and then render it like this. I have no choice. Thanks for your help!
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